Quitting Solpadine

LegacyUser

Hi, I'm posting here just for some encouragement and support while I go through the process of quitting my habit of taking solpadine everyday for a few years now.

I'm doing this under the instruction of my Doctor so I'm not looking for medical advice.

I suffer tension and occasional migraine headache but i've become so used to the solpadine my body is craving them and that's giving me daily headache.
My aim is to stop taking solp forever and go a day without a headache, it's been years since I've had a pain free day.

So far;

I took my last 2 soluble solp on Thursday morning at 11.30 and I've had none since, I dont have any in the house to take.
Yesterday and last night weren't great, I got a headache (not unusual i suffer headache everyday) and leg pains, and felt sick. I used some non medical cool pads on my head and they helped, then I went to bed, couldn't sleep so took a low dose xanax, woke up this morning without headache!
I have a headache atm and neck ache but it's bearable, I wont be taking xanax tonight and I hope to have a better day tomorrow. No leg pains today thank god, they were really annoying.

Aside from being in pain which is what I find most difficult to deal with, my craving for the fizzy goodness is still there! It's a habit I'm trying to break and I find thoughts of solpadine popping into my head every hour or so I guess.
I've got some lemonade to replace the fizzy drink and some chewy sweets anything really to take my mind away from my usual quick fix.

Atm I'm trying not to worry about headache but am worried a little about getting a serious headache and how i'd cope with the pain. Also I suffer very painfully periods so dealing with those without painkillers will be a nightmare.

Thanks for reading, i'll keep updated with my progress.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Did you ask your doctor if it would be a good idea to take non-codeine painkillers for the period pain? The pill also supposed to be good for that. As well as other things.

To be honest I don't think its a habit but simply codeine addiction. Like smoking isn't really a habit it is pure nicotine addiction.

Afraid I can't offer any experience I've only ever been addicted to nicotine.

Best of luck.

Ali Babba

I've suffered headaches for years too and have relied on Solpadine, Nuerofen Plus, Ponston and many others at one time or another. I suffer from Psoriatic arthritis and as a result am in constant pain. I find the best pain relief I get is to mix the dose of tablets from one brand to another with out becoming dependant on one particular brand. I find if I use one brand all the time I get rebound headaches which can be a curse to get rid of. You should ask your doctor about Migril or Migronat tablets for migraine or any containing Ergotamine tartrate for your migraine headaches. Good luck with giving up Solpadine, it's not an easy thing to do, I would too if I could live with the pain.

Silverfish

I think recommending other medications to the OP is the equivalent of medical advice.

Can we please avoid doing this. Thank you.

LegacyUser

Bottle of Smoke - I being treated for the period pain also so really it's any non medicinal advice i'm looking for. And yes it is certainly an addiction to the codeine in the the solpadine. I've noticed I feel something missing and what got me through a hard day is gone now so it became a habit as well as a physical addiction.


@Ali Babba Hi Ali sorry to hear you are suffering too. Without getting into medical things, i've tried migraine meds and they dont work for me, I really want to avoid all painkillers if I can, I suppose I'm going to find out here on out what is real headache and migraine triggers, eventually without the complication of having rebound headache.

Nevyn

http://www.na-ireland.org/about/

hadook

If you found the cool pads helpful you could also try the cooling stick thingy marketed for migraine sufferers. It's not a drug, it's just essential oils like lavender, mint etc. I use the boots own brand one and find that while it doesn't cure my migraine it makes the symptoms slightly easier to deal with. And it smells nice
You could also look into the various supplements that can help with period pain - evening primrose oil, starflower oil are two I've heard are good.

I've seen someone detox from an accidental codeine addiction and it's not easy but you'll get there. Best of luck

LegacyUser

Today is the worst day so far, have a headache since yesterday and it's driving me nuts
It'd be great if someone could say i'd be better tomorrow.

I'll look for that headache stick thingy I've seen it before, i have some lavender oil here i use on my temples

krankykitty

The headache stick thing I've tried but not found it that great. A natural remedy I sometimes use is peppermint oil. Mix some with a small quantity of almond oil or similar (can be cheaply purchased in chemists/health food shops) and rub onto your temples/forehead. If you don't get a cooling or almost tingly sensation, add a few more drops of peppermint to the solution. What's good about mixing it up yourself is that you can add more peppermint oil and/or lavender oil as you wish to make it "stronger". It can really help.

lynsalot

Hey OP

I suffered with rebound headaches and still do from time to time. It's a pain in the bum to get rid of. I too started getting migraines and taking OTC analgesics - went to the doc with daily headaches. Referred to a neurologist. Two MRIs later, nothing untoward going on, turns out it's rebound headaches.

I stopped taking any painkillers at all and it took approx 4 or 5 weeks to completely get rid of the headaches.

I had the flu last week and drank lemsip for 2 days. 3 sachets a day and i've just stopped getting headaches (Lasted 8 days in the end - total migraines backs of my eyes, blurred vision the whole she bang)

I find the best way to alleviate the pain - when in work, use a cooling head stick. Effective, short term pain relief but anything rather than take a tablet. At home, I use aromatherapy oils. I mix a base oil with peppermint oil and rub it into my scalp, forehead (You see why I don't use this in work) and it really works. It completely takes the pain away.

It was explained to me before. A headache is simply blood rushing through a blood vessel too quickly and causes a throbbing sensation. When you apply peppermint oil, it cools the area and naturally causes the blood to rush away from the cold area. This therefore takes away the throbbing.

Hope that helps. Keep the faith...i'm actually glad to see other people suffer from this too. I'll never take another tablet again unless i'm at deaths door to be honest.

messymess

OP, careful with the xanax, it could become all to easy to replace the solpadine with them. If you think getting off solpadine is bad, wait until you're addicted to benzo's.

LegacyUser

I had a persistent headache from saturday evening and it has only eased now, so over 24 hours. It was particularly bad last night and hard to cope with, to the point of making me cry-which only makes a headache worse :rolleyes: I took 2 paracetamol, I didnt get any relief but I drifted off to sleep eventually with the cool patch and lavender oil.
This morning my head feels heavy and the 'thump thump' is there if I bend down, cough etc.
I'm very glad that the pain has eased a lot, last night I thought I wouldn't be able to stick it out.

krankykitty wrote: »

The headache stick thing I've tried but not found it that great. A natural remedy I sometimes use is peppermint oil. Mix some with a small quantity of almond oil or similar (can be cheaply purchased in chemists/health food shops) and rub onto your temples/forehead. If you don't get a cooling or almost tingly sensation, add a few more drops of peppermint to the solution. What's good about mixing it up yourself is that you can add more peppermint oil and/or lavender oil as you wish to make it "stronger". It can really help.

Thanks kk, I'd not have though of using peppermint oil before this thread.

lynsalot wrote: »

Hey OP

I suffered with rebound headaches and still do from time to time. It's a pain in the bum to get rid of. I too started getting migraines and taking OTC analgesics - went to the doc with daily headaches. Referred to a neurologist. Two MRIs later, nothing untoward going on, turns out it's rebound headaches.

I stopped taking any painkillers at all and it took approx 4 or 5 weeks to completely get rid of the headaches.

I had the flu last week and drank lemsip for 2 days. 3 sachets a day and i've just stopped getting headaches (Lasted 8 days in the end - total migraines backs of my eyes, blurred vision the whole she bang)

I find the best way to alleviate the pain - when in work, use a cooling head stick. Effective, short term pain relief but anything rather than take a tablet. At home, I use aromatherapy oils. I mix a base oil with peppermint oil and rub it into my scalp, forehead (You see why I don't use this in work) and it really works. It completely takes the pain away.

It was explained to me before. A headache is simply blood rushing through a blood vessel too quickly and causes a throbbing sensation. When you apply peppermint oil, it cools the area and naturally causes the blood to rush away from the cold area. This therefore takes away the throbbing.

Hope that helps. Keep the faith...i'm actually glad to see other people suffer from this too. I'll never take another tablet again unless i'm at deaths door to be honest.

Hi lynsalot, my story is very similar to yours. It is good to hear that you're not alone in suffering this. I'm really hoping the headache goes once the withdrawal is over with, or at least have headache free days. I will get some base oil and peppermint oil asap it sounds like something that would work for me.
Thanks for your reply it helps a lot:)

messymess wrote: »

OP, careful with the xanax, it could become all to easy to replace the solpadine with them. If you think getting off solpadine is bad, wait until you're addicted to benzo's.

I fully aware of that. I'm not looking for medical advice.

Nevyn

ouchy wrote: »

I had a persistent headache from saturday evening and it has only eased now, so over 24 hours. It was particularly bad last night and hard to cope with, to the point of making me cry-which only makes a headache worse :rolleyes: I took 2 paracetamol, I didnt get any relief but I drifted off to sleep eventually with the cool patch and lavender oil.
This morning my head feels heavy and the 'thump thump' is there if I bend down, cough etc.
I'm very glad that the pain has eased a lot, last night I thought I wouldn't be able to stick it out.

If it persists do go back to your dr and push for tests, persistent headaches usually have an underlying causes and by taking pain meds all the time you could be masking what is a symptom of something else which needs treating.

banie01

Thaedydal wrote: »

If it persists do go back to your dr and push for tests, persistent headaches usually have an underlying causes and by taking pain meds all the time you could be masking what is a symptom of something else which needs treating.

By all means do go and check it out with your Doc.
BUT persistent headaches are a also a major symtom of Codeine/Opiate withdrawal and is a major factor in so many people being hooked on Solpadeine and other codeine based analgesics.
The logic being the pain came back when I stopped taking them so they must be keeping the pain away, Its an addiction trap of the highest order.

OP best of luck with keeping off them, it is hard but going back on them can cause serious damage.
I have a close friend who after a period of addiction to solpadeine now has serious liver damage!

LegacyUser

Thaedydal wrote: »

If it persists do go back to your dr and push for tests, persistent headaches usually have an underlying causes and by taking pain meds all the time you could be masking what is a symptom of something else which needs treating.

I've changed doc and saw a locum and they've all said the same thing. I've been to a specialist and had the usual bloods and head CT there's nothing underlying serious or deadly and I'm returning to the specialist at the end of this month.
I'm told it's tension headache combined with migraine and rebound headache from the codeine so it's quite complicated.
Doc told me that I will have bad headache but I'll just have to go through that if I'm to come off the solpadine.

So far I've a dull headache since 12pm, I took 1 panadol to keep it at bay, drinking lots of fluids too. I've gone 4 days without the solp so that's good progress. The pain is extremely draining though.

LegacyUser

banie01 wrote: »

By all means do go and check it out with your Doc.
BUT persistent headaches are a also a major symtom of Codeine/Opiate withdrawal and is a major factor in so many people being hooked on Solpadeine and other codeine based analgesics.
The logic being the pain came back when I stopped taking them so they must be keeping the pain away, Its an addiction trap of the highest order.

OP best of luck with keeping off them, it is hard but going back on them can cause serious damage.
I have a close friend who after a period of addiction to solpadeine now has serious liver damage!

Yep that's what I've been told. Thanks for the gl wishes, I'm just glad I haven't done any serious damage so far and can hopefully quit while I'm ahead.

Herbal Deity

lynsalot wrote: »

I had the flu last week and drank lemsip for 2 days. 3 sachets a day and i've just stopped getting headaches (Lasted 8 days in the end - total migraines backs of my eyes, blurred vision the whole she bang)

You do realise that Lemsip is paracetamol? One sachet is the same as taking 1g or 2 normal Paracetamol tablets.

tinkerbell

If you've got a headache, drink some coffee, pepsi or coca cola. I find they help to get rid of headaches because of the caffeine, if you look at the back of a box of anadin I think, it says one of the ingredients is caffeine. I always try that first and only then if I can't get rid of it will I take a Panadol or Anadin.

Good luck on beating the solpadine addiction, codine is so bad - I refuse to take any sort of solpadine / codine. So you're doing good on trying to kick the habit, best of luck with it and I hope it goes well for you.

LegacyUser

Well done with the progress!

When I was withdrawing from a different substance I found acupuncture fantastic (I was told it sped up the bodies metabolism so that the withdrawals went quicker and took the edge off) and massage to deal with the stress. Do a search on boards for massage because there are quite a few recommendations from the users.

Good luck and keep updating us on how it's going for you.

Calibos

tinkerbell wrote: »

If you've got a headache, drink some coffee, pepsi or coca cola. I find they help to get rid of headaches because of the caffeine, if you look at the back of a box of anadin I think, it says one of the ingredients is caffeine. I always try that first and only then if I can't get rid of it will I take a Panadol or Anadin.

Good luck on beating the solpadine addiction, codine is so bad - I refuse to take any sort of solpadine / codine. So you're doing good on trying to kick the habit, best of luck with it and I hope it goes well for you.

Of course caffeine withdrawl can cause headaches too.

I can certainly see the danger in codeine. I have recognised the mood lifting effects of it in myself. It felt just a bit more than the mood lift you would expect from the headache going so I knew to be careful with it.

That said, I do not shy away from using it when I need it. I went way over the recommended 3 days on codeine containing medicines a few weeks ago when I had a wisdom tooth extracted, got dry socket and then an infection. I was 3 days on Kapatan which are 500mg Paracetamol and 30mg codeine. Then when the dry socket hit I was taking 2x Nurofen+...2hours later 2x Solpedine...2hours later...2x Nurofen+...2 hours later...2x Solpedine etc. Did that for another 3 or 4 days. Then basically another 4 or 5 days of only taking Nurofen+ or Solphedine on the 4 hour mark. Then a final day or two of taking something in the morning and something before bed.

First day after no tablets I was in no doubt that I was getting a codeine withdrawl headache. A real sicky kind of headache as opposed to a thumping pulsing headache. I took regular paracetemol for that without a codeine component. Was fine the next day and thereafter.

In other words, I know to be wary of the stuff but that doesn't mean I stop using what is a very effective over the counter pain killer.

Dizzyblonde

OP, my husband went through Solpadeine withdrawal a good few years ago too. He never took more than the recommended dose per day, but couldn't get through a day without them after a bad whiplash injury gave him bad headaches.
The good news is that like you he had awful headaches to begin with, but once he was through the withdrawal stage he hardly ever got headaches any more. And any headaches he does get now respond to paracetamol.
He did get very restless legs for a long time after he stopped taking the Solpadiene, I'm just mentioning that in case you're getting it too.
Hang in there. You'll get through this and feel great afterwards

LegacyUser

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

OP, my husband went through Solpadeine withdrawal a good few years ago too. He never took more than the recommended dose per day, but couldn't get through a day without them after a bad whiplash injury gave him bad headaches.
The good news is that like you he had awful headaches to begin with, but once he was through the withdrawal stage he hardly ever got headaches any more. And any headaches he does get now respond to paracetamol.
He did get very restless legs for a long time after he stopped taking the Solpadiene, I'm just mentioning that in case you're getting it too.
Hang in there. You'll get through this and feel great afterwards

Thanks Dizzyblonde, just wondering how long did it take before your husband was headache free?

kjl

ouchy wrote: »

Thanks Dizzyblonde, just wondering how long did it take before your husband was headache free?

Know how you feel OP, i find that if I only use it for really bad headaches that I don't get withdrawal headaches. I know this sounds crazy, but carry two tablets around with you, sometime just knowing that if you get a bad headache you can relive it, prevents me from getting the headache.

LegacyUser

kjl wrote: »

Know how you feel OP, i find that if I only use it for really bad headaches that I don't get withdrawal headaches. I know this sounds crazy, but carry two tablets around with you, sometime just knowing that if you get a bad headache you can relive it, prevents me from getting the headache.

I wouldnt do that kjl, I dont want it to be a crutch to rely on plus I know I'd take them and be back to square one! but if it works for you that's good.

ohanloj3

I see you've said you miss the fizziness-Have you tried soluble paracetamol? It isn't a long term solution (paracetamol are bad for your liver function) but at least they are not addictive and it may help you come off the codeine if you have a replacement!

kjl

ohanloj3 wrote: »

I see you've said you miss the fizziness-Have you tried soluble paracetamol? It isn't a long term solution (paracetamol are bad for your liver function) but at least they are not addictive and it may help you come off the codeine if you have a replacement!

solpadine contains paracetamol, so it would be bad either way

Kimia

Hi Op, best of luck with giving up - I've been there with nicotine and the longer you're off it, the better it gets craving wise.

Here's a good tip for getting rid of a headache. Lie down next to a wall and put a pillow under your hips. Get nice and comfy and then raise your legs and rest them against the wall (your bum should be about a foot away, lets say) So you're lying on your back with your arms out loosly and your legs are straight up.

It'll ease all the tension away from. Do this and just close your eyes and concentrate on breathing and I'm sure it'll help.

LegacyUser

Thanks guys, nearly a week off now! Cant believe it, not feeling too bad today, a slight tight headachey pain around my forehead.
I do miss the fizzyness but I it's specific to the taste of solpadine and the associated psychological affect as well as the physiological, nothing compares to it so there really isn't much point trying to recreate it with soluble paracetamol. I'm hoping that longing will eventually go away.
I am taking maybe 1 paracetamol a day (non today) if I need really need it.

I really want to go for some massage and/or acupuncture so that's next on my list as I'm more able to do things day to day. Actually managed to do some housework today!

LegacyUser

1 Week off Today

Pains in my legs all night though, and woke with a headache. Would still love some fizzygood to rid me of the ouchy but no more! If anyone is thinking of doing this It's not easy but I've gone too far now and it'll be worth it in the end.

Daisy Steiner

ouchy wrote: »

1 Week off Today

Pains in my legs all night though, and woke with a headache. Would still love some fizzygood to rid me of the ouchy but no more! If anyone is thinking of doing this It's not easy but I've gone too far now and it'll be worth it in the end.

Well done ouchy! You are doing so well

I'm 2 and a half weeks off cigarettes so kinda have an idea of how you are feeling. It gets so boring when all you can think about is the thing you are trying to avoid!

I found it to be beneficial telling close friends and family. They are all rooting for me and it feels great.

If I ever get a headache this is what I do. Press your right thumb into the fleshy area between the left thumb and fore-finger. It might take a bit of feeling around but as you press the correct point you should feel a slight pain where you are pressing. This will relieve the headache I promise!

Repeat by swopping hands and pressing with the left thumb.

You are an inspiration op. Keep it up and you will no longer be beholden to a substance that is doing you no favours!

LegacyUser

Thanks OP - I think this thread will highlight alot of things to alot of people. It certainly inspired me to catch a grip of myself with regard to my solpa habits.

My problem is that I suffer from very bad migraine. I have been to doctors, specialists etc but have not made any breakthrough and so because of a nervousness anytime I began to feel anyway off I would take solpadeine. It then got to a stage where I was taking 2 first thing every morning when I got up just to give me a boost and I have to say I loved it! I too got to a stage where I was moving between chemists for fear I would be recognised or something said to me and I even guess I blush when the chemist asks have I take this before or you know this is not to be taken for more than 3 consecutive days.

So an earlier attempt to withdraw failed after a day. On Monday I took one tablet, same again on Tuesday. Yesterday nothing. Today (it is early) nothing yet. I am absolutely exhausted - I could fall asleep on the spot. There is a slight dull pain in my head but I am determined to get to Sunday and i think if I can have made it through one week having taken only two well then I may be in the clear!

Best of luck and any and all tips gratefully accepted.